Q&A Interview and Giveaway with JoAnne Kenrick

She grew up in a small sea-side town on the coast of North Wales and lived in a house that backed into a graveyard.This could, perhaps, be one of the reasons why she’s fascinated with all things dark and macabre!?

Her interest in the paranormal became a job when she took a position as a Ghost Tour Guide with Ralph Keeton, Britain’s most renowned exorcist.Her move to Australia prevented further field work, but she continued to help as a forum administrator, answering all sorts of paranormal inquiries.With a bit of free time once again, she began writing on a professional level.Her non-fiction paranormal features were even published in various glossy spiritual magazines.

JoAnne currently resides in North Carolina with her husband, two kids and a kitty cat.When she’s not busy with something for one of them, she writes both contemporary and paranormal romance.

JoAnne’s most recent release, “When a Mullo Loves a Woman”, PEARL KIZZY book #1, was dropped on 5/24/11 and has gotten amazing reviews.It has been said to be “a deceptively complex story about the power of true love”, said to feature “a scandalously wonderful leading man who will stop at nothing to save his soul mate”, and summed up to be a “winning and surprising paranormal romance”.Sounds fabulous right!?Let’s let you read the synopsis:

“When a Mullo Loves a Woman”:

She thought the mullo was just a myth...she was dead wrong.Adam Flint's Gypsy visions always guide him to those who need his paranormal gifts. He gets more than he bargained for in Pearl Kizzy, a beautiful spitfire from Liverpool. Adam knows that to save Pearl, he must help her accept her own Gypsy heritage.Although Adam and Pearl fight their burning attraction for one another, a night of passion sparks memories of their treacherous former lives. Unable to face the loss of Pearl in this century, Adam scrambles for distance from the love of his life. A rejected Pearl falls into the arms of a Mullo - a gypsy vampire - who lays claim to her heart, and her life.To survive, Adam and Pearl must accept their tragic past, and find a way to kill the undead.

Yep, we know, it sounds even better now, but wait -- get off of Amazon/Barnes & Noble and finish reading what we have to tell you— we haven’t told you about JoAnne’s contemporary romances yet!

She has an upcoming release, “Sweet Irish Kiss”, a 1 NIGHTSTAND novel, due out in 2 days!Instead of giving you the synopsis, we thought we’d give you a couple actual snippets, straight from Six Sentence Sundays on JoAnne’s website:

“Sweet Irish Kiss” Snippet:

“She stood, pin cushion in hand, staring out the huge plate glass window.The rain drizzled over passing shoppers who huddled and shared umbrellas with loved ones.She wished she could have someone she could trust, to protect her when life pissed all over her, but she didn’t have anyone like that.The big brick wall she’d built had seen to that.A flashback of running through a downpour with her father hit, and hit her hard.He’d thrown his coat over her, sheltering her and leaving himself open to the elements”. -- (c) JoAnne Kenrick, SWEET IRISH KISS

Here’s another…

“Rachel slipped her hands up the crisp cotton shirt and explored his ripped torso, smooth and oh so tempting.She wanted to lick every ripple, every dip…later…no time for that now.Consumed by thoughts of feeling him deep inside her, hunger led the way.She unbuckled his belt, yanked at the leather strap, and snaked it away.In a flash, she unzipped him, too.His pants fell to the ground and exposed a delicious delight, commando style”. -- (c) JoAnne Kenrick, SWEET IRISH KISS

JoAnne has two other things coming this fall that we can look forward to…An eRelease of her 80’s rock novella, “Rock You Like A Hurricane”, SIRENIC #1 (we know that LITERAL ADDICTION’s Pack Alpha is ALL over that one!! J), and “Dracula’s Kiss”, another 1 NIGHTSTAND series novel, due out some time in October also.

Now that we’ve sufficiently done nothing more than tease you, how about we get to the Interview and learn some more about JoAnne and her books?

LITERAL ADDICTION/Book Monster Reviews:Hi JoAnne!Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to come and chat with us today, and to let our followers and members get to know you and your books a little bit better.

JoAnne: Thanks for that awesome introduction. Almost feels like I should curtsey.

LITERAL ADDICTION/Book Monster Reviews:We like to start out by getting to know our guest author a bit better, and then we’ll dig into the books...

Q1): Can you tell us 3 things about yourself that we can't find out easily on the internet?

JoAnne: Move along. There's no secrets here.

Really? Three things? But I'm such an open book; everything there is to know about it is already out there. I'll try, though. Just for you.

1: Fame was my favorite TV show as a 'tween', and it was because of that show that I went on and studied Performing Arts in college.

2: I've also been a window dresser, just like Rachel in my upcoming Sweet Irish kiss contemporary romance. But it wasn't for a fancy store in Knightsbridge. Nope. It was for a discount fashion store in my home town of Rhyl in North Wales.

3: My ten minutes of fame was appearing on a Most Haunted Live show.

Q2):What are 2 things that never fail to make you smile, and 2 things that always piss you off?

JoAnne: Feel good movies are my happy drugs. The House Bunny, Grease 1 & 2, Cry Baby...anything that revolves around a cheesy love story and has a fun soundtrack, basically. Oh and I adore John Hughes movies. Mostly anything from the 80s. My kids make me smile all the time; they're hilarious, and their achievements make me beam with pride. What pisses me off? Mixing religion with politics. That serious piffs me off. No religion should be the basis for any decision making for the nation. And what really piffs me off is hearing how countries are banning Christmas celebrations in schools and other public places. Instead, they should celebrate all religious holidays to show equality...rather than banning all signs of our diversity. I wish we could all just get along regardless of beliefs.

Q3):Since you’re a fan of the dark and macabre like so many of us here, what’s your favorite dark and/or macabre thing?

JoAnne: Investigating haunted buildings...even better if they're infamously haunted. My dream is to spend an entire weekend in 112 Ocean Avenue in Amytiville, because there is so much controversy involved in that supposed haunting. But since it is currently occupied by a family, the chances of that are slim to none. But I ask you, what sort of family would buy THAT home and expect a quiet life? If it's not the dead that will be bothering them, it's the living fascinated with the dead.

Q4):What is the one thing that you absolutely cannot go through your day without?

JoAnne: A cup of PG tips with a suitable dunking biscuit. If we've ran out of our special Brit biccies (Choccie Digestives from the World Market), Pim's are a pretty good substitute. And a hug from my wee girl. Her hugs are healing, I'm telling ya.

JoAnne: As mentioned above, I love feel good movies. But I'm also a nut for anything vampiric. The Lost Boys is my all time favorite movie. LOVE IT. True Blood is awesomesauce. But Buffy is the best. From time to time, I'll pull out that box set and indulge in the smart snark and sarcasm that is Buffy Summers. And I'm a major fan of Californication. How is it that David D is such a pig in that show, yet I find him absolutely gorgeous in it? The mind boggles.

Q7):Who are some of your favorite authors and what are a couple of the titles in your TBR list/pile currently?

JoAnne: Oh heck. That's always a hard question to answer because I read too much, and adore so many authors. Smutketeers rock it, I'm loving the 1NightStand series with Decadent Publishing (I'm uber psyched to be apart of such a fab series), and, oh heck, this is where it could get long and exhausting. The list that is. Olivia Cunning. Sara Humphreys. Nicole Hicks. Ciar Cullen. Jill Myles. Mary Hughes. Lara Adrian. Michele Hauf. Juniper Bell. Deena Remiel...I should probably stop there before you all nod off to sleep. LOL On my to-read list? Th Goblin King by Shona Husk. That cover is HAWT...I swear Dean Winchester is the cover model. Yum.

Q8):What personal dreams have been realized as a direct result of your writing career so far?

JoAnne: I've found what I've been looking for. Yes, after a multitude of 'careers', and 'fads', I made it. I discovered what my passion is. What I am made to do. It took me long enough, but here I am...complete.

Q9): What do you do to cheer yourself up when you’re having ‘one of those days’?Is there a place you go, something you eat, something you do, etc?

JoAnne: Movies... The House Bunny seems a favorite at the moment. Anna Faris makes me giggle. Giggling is good when life sucks.

Q10):What do you enjoy doing when you’re not writing or taking care of other author business?

JoAnne: I'm either hanging out with my kids; we love game night!, or I'm studying something weird and whacky paranormal-esk. And my nose is forever stuck in a book...whether it's for work or reading pleasure.

LITERAL ADDICTION/Book Monster Reviews:O.K, now let’s find out some more about your career and your incredible books…

Q11):When did you begin writing, and did anyone or anything special inspire you to become an author?

JoAnne: I began writing, again, with the hopes of sharing my knowledge with folks who might want to listen. My first article was published four years ago and seeing my name in print, in a glossy magazine that heaps of people would read, set the wheels in motion. Just knowing my words could affect others gave me such a buzz. Jenny Smedley, a lovely lady and past life expert, was my inspiration for writing that first article.

Q12):Do you find that you enjoy writing one genre over the other—paranormal vs. contemporary?Why do you think that is?

JoAnne: When I first started out with Mullo, I thought I'd only ever write paranormals. Funny how wrong from the truth that turned out to be. I've written contemporary, retro, paranormal, and vampire...and although I really enjoyed writing them all, the vampire was a total indulgent project and I enjoyed that the most.

Q13):Can you give us some more information about “Sweet Irish Kiss” and “Dracula’s Kiss”?

JoAnne: Loved to! Both are based on cocktails...luscious, sexy cocktails. And both are sizzling hot! Sweet Irish Kiss is also getting a spin-off series called Bell's Irish Pub (my editor would scream at me if I didn't give her more of my Irish Bar antics; I get the impression she LOVED it by the numerous comments about how Devlin, a secondary character, needs his own story. Well, he got it! And it took him all the way to France. Here's hoping my editor loves it just as much as Sweet Irish.

Here are the trailers and covers to both of my upcoming 1NightStand books.

Q14):How many books are planned for the 1 NIGHTSTAND series and when are they expected out?

JoAnne: The awesome (if I do say so myself) series is multi-authored with Decadent Publishing. It was started by Valerie mann, Kate Richards and Olivia Stark...and has garnered many faithful fans. And I can see why. I'm totally addicted those hot little shorts! It's an absolute honor to be apart of this on-going series that has it all...vampires, virgins, Aussies, werewolves, shifter menages, bondage...it goes on. There is bound to be something for everyone with stories ranging from sweet to smoking hot! More about the series can be found here: http://decadent1nightstand.blogspot.com

Q15):Please give us some more information about Ryker Connell and “Rock You Like A Hurricane”!

JoAnne: He's all kinds of Bon Jovi hot...I think that line has become rather infamous. Who knew my guy would be so popular with the ladies. I've had emails and Facebook messages from readers saying how much that line has stuck in their head. Now, every time Rock You Like A Hurricane comes on the radio or TV, they think of Ryker Conall (Ryker Con...all as the female lead calls him). That's awesome considering the book only just came out! And as a total rock-chick myself, Ryker had my heart from page one. Usually, it takes the first chapter before I start 'falling' for the male lead. Not with Ryker. Ryker is the man of my dreams!! Although he's got a bad-boy exterior, he's also persistent, has a sexy, raspy singing voice, and plays the guitar like there's no tomorrow. Also, he's a total romantic at heart and knows how to romance a gal. Pre-order price is still good until 28th September, too! Don't miss out if you plan on snagging yourself a blast from the past with my 80s rock romance. http://www.bookstrand.com/rock-you-like-a-hurricane

Q16):Is there a follow-up planned for “When a Mullo Loves a Woman” and the PEARL KIZZY series?When might we expect it if there is?

JoAnne: I do have something planned for Mullo...but at this point, I'm not sure when it might hit the shelves...or even my editor's inbox. I'll keep ya'll posted.

Q17):Why did you feel you had to tell the PEARL KIZZY and 1 NIGHTSTAND stories?

JoAnne: Pearl Kizzy started as a short story. A rather tragic short story (Pearl died in it). I had no idea of the whole ebook world when I started, and that a short was publishable as a stand alone. I thought I had to make a full length to get it in the hands of Joe Bloggs. And so it began...my fiction writing career. It started as a 'maybe I can, if I don't try, I'll never know' project. But anyone who knows me knows if I set my mind to something, it will be finished. As for the 1NightStand books, well...the acquisition editor for the series pulled me to one side and asked me when I was going to contribute to the series. I already had a short I was thinking of writing called The Exception. And when Kate asked me about writing for the series, my mind went straight to that unwritten story. In a mater of seconds, I'd adapted it for the line of shorts based around the online match-making agency. I had a thing for Colin Farrell at the time, so Shaun Bell was created. An Irish bar man looking for lurvvve. I wrote Sweet Irish Kiss in four weeks. Two weeks later, I subbed Dracula's Kiss for the paranormal call-out. Yes, I wrote it that quickly...the fang-banger in me was pleased as punch to be able to write a story about a goth bumping into a real vampire dressed up as Dracula at a Halloween Ball. Boy, does she get more than she bargained for.

Q18): What question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview but have never been asked, and how would you answer that question?

JoAnne: How are you going to spend that HUGE advance for the next book in your NYT bestselling series? Maybe one day I'll be asked that, and if so, I'll answer, “I'll be spending it during the research trip the publisher is sending me on. I'm off Australia to research my new series.” haha dreams, you gotta have them!

Q19):What’s up next for JoAnne Kenrick?What do you have coming up in the next several weeks/months?

JoAnne: Well, a paid-for research trip to the land down under isn't on the cards...yet. But three new books releases onto the eBook shelves are. Rock You Like A Hurricane is just out. Sweet Irish comes out on the 30th. And Dracula comes out in october. I've got two book tours coming up, and those dates can be found on my website under the 'event's tab. The first book in my new Bell's Irish Pub is awaiting revisions, as is Rock book two. So no doubt you'll be hearing some more release news from me soon.

Q20):Is there anything special you would like to say to your readers while we have you here today?

JoAnne: Heck yes! Thank you for all the emails and reviews, your support means the world to me, as does your reading pleasure...it's what keeps me writing. You guys ROCK!!!

LITERAL ADDICTION/Book Monster Reviews:JoAnne, we’ve thoroughly enjoyed having you with us today, and are excited for the chat later on this evening!We’re sincerely hoping that we’ve tuned some new readers into your amazing work, and we can’t wait to see what you have in store for us next.We would be delighted if we could have you back for a future release in early 2012 if you’re interested!?

JoAnne:You don't even have to ask! I've had an absolute blast answering these questions...let's do it again!

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CONTEST:

JoAnne is graciously offering up an eBook of “Sweet Irish Kiss” and Kindlegraph to a winner from Book Monster Reviews (Kindlegraph only available for those with a Kindle and Kindlegraph account).

a signed copy of “When a Mullo Loves a Woman”.

To Enter: Make sure you are a follower of the BMR Blog and then post a comment on the interview and make sure you leave a valid email address. Any comments without an email address will NOT be entered into drawing.

GOOD LUCK!!!!

Don't forget to drop by the LITERAL ADDICTION website (http://www.literaladdiction.com/) and follow the directions and links to enter their contest for a chance to win

Wonderful interview! Ive been wanting to read When Mullo Loves a Woman. Its on my wishlist! Your books sound so good! Im definitely gonna have to get them! Thank you for sharing and for the giveaway!shadowluvs2read(at)aol(dot)com